TCU Moves Atop League Standings, Tops #8 Kansas

Thursday, October 22

Lawrence, Kan.

7 p.m.

TCU

5-0-1, 5-0-1

Kansas

4-2-0, 4-2-0

TCU

Kansas

TCU Moves Atop League Standings, Tops #8 Kansas

10/22/2020 10:04:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Frog register fifth shutout of the season

FORT WORTH – Goals from Tijana Duricek and Yazmeen Ryan along with four saves from Emily Alvarado helped No. 5 TCU to a 2-0 victory at No. 8 Kansas Thursday night at Rock Chalk Park in Lawrence, Kan. With the win, TCU sits alone atop the Big 12 standings with a 5-0-1 record.

The Rundown
TCU had the upper hand for much of the first half, holding a 10-3 shot advantage heading into the half. The Frogs generated four first-half corner kicks, but it was the third one that paid dividends. The ball bounced around as Kansas tried to clear only to have the Frogs fight to keep the ball inside the 18. Eventually the ball popped free and Tijana Duricek was there to fire it home for a 1-0 lead in the 25^thminute.

Grace Collins nearly made it a 2-0 contest late in the half as she took on three Jayhawk defenders, but her shot hit off the post and rolled across the goal line and out of danger.

Kansas had a strong push in the second half, but Emily Alvarado thwarted three strong looks from the Jayhawks to keep them off the board.

TCU found its footing in the middle of the half and found the insurance goal. A sweet back touch from Gracie Brian freed up a streaking Yazmeen Ryan who fired home a shot from 25 yards out over a leaping Kansas goalkeeper for a 2-0 lead in the 57th minute.

Kansas fired off 13 shots in the second half, but couldn't find the back of the net as TCU collected its fifth shutout of the season.

Stat of the Game
18 – With four saves in the contest, Emily Alvarado has tied the school record for career shutouts. She joins Vittoria Arnold (2012-14) and Maribeth Forrest (1987-90) atop the leaderboard.

Quotes of the Game
Head Coach Eric Bell
Game assessment
"I thought we were able to get out on our front foot. We developed tempo and had a good possession game which led to creating chances. We were able to score on set piece, but what I liked most about it is we battled to keep the ball in the box. Tijana (Duricek) was in the right place right time.

In the second half, Kansas changed its shape to adjust to us. We had to figure it out and it took time for everyone to find where they should be playing, but we did eventually. We were able to get the second goal. It was fantastic goal by Yazmeen. A great strike. From there, we saw it out to the end. We found a road win at a hard place to play. We are very pleased with our group."

Handling adversity:
"We are really proud of the group for handling everything 2020 has thrown at them. They've just said bring it on. They've dealt with it in a classy fashion. They are very focused on doing something that has never been done at TCU – winning a conference championship."

Notes
• TCU is unbeaten through six games for the first time since the 2018 campaign.
• TCU was outshot by its opponents for the third time this season.
• TCU registered double-digit shots for the sixth time this season.
• Tijana Duricek scored her first goal of the season and the third of her career.
• Duricek picked up her second career game-winning goal.
• Yazmeen Ryan scored her third goal of the season and the 19^th of her career.
• Ryan's 19 goals rank eighth all-time in program history.
• Ryan now has 55 career points, moving her into sixth place all-time, passing Allison Calleri's career total of 54 from 1996-99.
• Gracie Brian registered her second assist of the season and the sixth of her career.
• Yazmeen Ryan, Chaylyn Hubbard, Marz Akins, Tijana Duricek and Brandi Peterson played the entirety of the match.

Next
TCU (5-0-1) continues its road trip to Kansas Sunday afternoon when it takes on Kansas State. Game time is set for Noon and will be televised on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.